Most urban development in Africa is occurring in a non-planned and non-transparent manner. Without appropriate planning, cities and towns will become increasingly chaotic and inefficient. The authors argue that the reform and revitalisation of planning education in Africa could contribute significantly to sustainable and more equitable urban development. Change can be brought about by future planners who are innovative problem-solvers, and whose actions are informed by explicit and progressive values. Crucially, they must be willing to collaborate with all parties involved in the development process – including local communities.